GB2240091A

GB2240091A - Tamper evident container/carton

Info

Publication number: GB2240091A
Application number: GB9100368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andre Philip Wilkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-20
Filing date: 1991-01-09
Publication date: 1991-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-09
Also published as: GB9001377D0; GB2240091B; GB9100368D0

Abstract

A packaging container or carton has a body defining a chamber in which articles can be stored, the body having an opening through which access can be gained to the interior of the chamber. A lid 20 for closing the access opening may be defined by overlapping flaps 22 and a tamper-evident anchorage means 40 is inserted through aligned apertures 41 in the flaps to hold the lid in a closed condition. <IMAGE>

Description

Tamper Evident ConWiner/Carton The present invention relates to a tamper-evident container or carton In retail outlets where articles for sale are stored on open display it is possible for cartons to be opened by thieves to enable the contents to be removed and then re-closed to disguise the fact that the contents have been taken.

It is therefore highly desirable to produce cartons which make it difficult or impossible for the carton to be opened without providing a clear visual indication that the carton has been opened. Such cartons are referred to as tamper-evident cartons.

It will be appreciated that such cartons are mass produced in very large numbers and so it is desirable for tamper-evident cartons to be capable of such a large volume production without adding appreciably to the cost of producing a similar container or carton which is not of a tamper-evident type.

It is a general aim with present inventions to provide a tamper-evident carton which meets the above criteria.

According to one aspect of. the present invention there - is provided a packaging container or carton including a body defining a chamber in which articles can be stored, the body having an access opening through which access can be gained io the interior of the chamber, a lid for closing the access opening and tamperevident anchorage means for anchoring the lid to the body.

The body is normally formed from folded card or similar sheet material.

The tamper-evident anchorage means serves to prevent the lid from being removed to enable access to be gained into the chamber without causing local destruction of the carton.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment according to the present invention shown with its lid open.

Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 shown with the lid closed and an anchorage means about to be inserted.

Figure 3 is a front view of the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2 after insertion of the anchorage means.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention shown with its lid open.

Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 shown with the lid partially closed and the anchorage means attached.

Figure 6 is a part cross-sectional view along line VI-VI after the lid has been fully closed.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a container and lid to be hingedly connected by an anchorage device according to the present invention Referring initially to figure 1 there is shown a carton 10 having a body 12 defining a chamber 14 in which articles to be packaged are stored. The body is formed from a suitable card or similar sheet material.

The carton 10 includes an access opening 16 through which access is gained into the interior of the chamber 14 as required say for filling the container chamber 14 with articles or for removing articles from the chamber.

In the illustrated embodiment the access opening 16 is closed by a lid 20 which comprises a pair of opposed lid flaps 21, 22. The lid flaps 21, 22 are hingedly connected to respective opposed sidewalls 24 of the body by fold lines 25. In addition the body includes a pair of opposed closure flaps 27 which are hingedly connected to respective opposed endwalls 29.

To close the access opening 16 closure flaps 27 are initially folded to lie across the opening 16. The lid flap 21 is then folded to extend across the opening 16 and lie above the closure flaps 27. The lid flap 21 includes a terminal end flap 21a which is folded so as to extend between the edges of closure flaps 27 and the adjacent sidewall 24 of the body. Advantageously the flap 21 is provided with slits 30 which accommodate edge portions of the closure flaps 27 to resist opening of the lid flap 21.

The lid flap 22 is then folded to extend across and overlie the lid flap 21. The lid flap 22 is provided with a terminal end flap 22a which is inserted into an elongate opening 32 formed adjacent to the fold line between the lid flap 21 and adjacent side wall 24.

Advantageously the flap 22 is provided with slits 36 which engage with the boundaries of the opening 32 to restrain opening of the lid flap 22.

An anchorage device 40 is then inserted through aligned apertures 41, 42 formed in flaps 21, 22 respectively. The anchorage device 40 is adapted for one-way insertion through apertures 41, 42 ie it is insertable into the apertures 41, 42 but once fully inserted it is adapted so as not to be withdrawable.

The anchorage device 40 serves to anchor the flaps 21, 22 to one another in the vicinity of the aligned apertures 41, 42 and thereby prevents opening of the lid 20. In this respect lid flap 22 may be partially raised but full opening of lid flaps 21 and 22 is prevented unless the anchorage device 40 is forcibly removed. Such removal would cause destruction, e.g. tearing, of the material surrounding the the apertures 41, 42 and would therefore give a visable indication that entry into the chamber had been made.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 a preferred anchorage device 40 is shown. The illustrated anchorage device 40 includes a body portion 50 which is insertable through the apertures 41, 42. The body portion 50 is substantially planar having a pair of resiliently deflectable barbs 52 projecting from opposite sides of the body portion. The sides of the body portion 50 are preferably inclined relative to its longitudinal axis in order to facilitate entry into the apertures 41, 42. Similarly the leading end 54 of the body portion (in the direction of insertion) is advantageously chamfered to also facilitate entry of the body portion into apertures 41, 42 A stop formation 58 is provided at the trailing end 59 of the body portion 50 which serves to engage material surrounding aperture 42 and thereby provide a limit stop for insertion of the anchorage device 40.Once fully inserted, the stop formation 58 also acts to prevent raising of lid flap 42. The stop formation 58 may be of any desirable shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop formation 58 is defined by a protrusion projecting from one of the planar faces of the body 50 and is generally cresent shaped. In this way the anchorage device 40 may be located adjacent to a sidewall of the carton without the stop formation projecting outwardly beyond the sidewall. It will be appreciated that the stop formation may be defined by protrusions projecting from both planar faces of the body. Preferably the anchorage device to is moulded in one piece from a suitable plastics material.

The carton described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 can be produced by mass production techniques and does not involve complicated constructional changes which impose undesirable restrictions during filling of the cartons. Once the lid 20 has been closed it is envisaged that the anchorage devices 40 could be inserted on a production line either manually or preferably automatically by machine.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 wherein a carton can be supplied for filling with an anchorage device 40 already attached. In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 parts similar to those in Figures 1 to 3 have been designated by the same numerals.

In the embodiment 70 illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 the lid 20 has been modified such that an anchorage device 40 may be.attached to the lid flap 22 so as to be insertable through the elongate opening 32 and thereby provide anchorage between lid flaps 21, 22 adjacent to the fold line between lid flap 21 and adjacent sidewall 24. Accordingly apertures 41, 42 have been dispensed with in embodiment 70.

The anchorage device 40 shown in figures 4 to 6 includes a pair of body portions 50 attached end to end by a web connection 60 which defines a fold line to thereby enable the body portions 50 of the pair to be folded relative to one another.

The lid flap 22 is provided with a terminal flap portion 71 which is foldably connected thereto by a fold line 73. An elongate slot 74 is provided adjacent to the fold line 73 through which one of the body portions 50 is inserted.

The flaps 22 and 71 are maintained in face to face contact by suitable adhesive with one body portion 50 located therebetween. The other body portion 50 of the pair projects beyond the terminal edge of flap 22 defined by fold line 73.

Closure and anchorage of lid flap 22 can now be simply achieved by insertion of the other body portion 50 of the pair through aperture 32.

It is envisaged that the lid 20 may be formed by a single flap which is secured by an anchorage device 40.

For instance a single flap may be provided which overlies the access opening and further extends to overlie a sidewall to which it may be anchored by an anchorage device.

It is envisaged that the anchorage device 40 as shown in Figures 4 to 6 could alternatively be used as a hinge for say connecting a lid to a container. In this respect one body portion 50 would be connected to the lid and the other body portion 50 would be connected to the container. One or more of the devices 40 would be provided along the hinge axis between the members to be hingedly connected.

An example is illustrated in Figure 9 wherein a container 100 having a lid 101 is shown. The container 100 has sidewalls 105 of hollow section formed from folded sheet material such as card. The lid 101 has sidewalls 106 of similar construction. The sidewalls 105, 106 have a top wall portion 108 in which apertures 109 are formed for receiving the anchorage device 40. Accordingly the lid 101 may be easily hingedly attached to the container 100 simply by inserting an anchorage device 40 into opposed apertures 109 formed in the lid and container respectively.

A further embodiment is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 wherein an anchorage device 40 is incorporated into a carton to initiate tearing of a film or foil contained in the carton.

In this respect carton 80 is.elongate and contains a roll of film 81. The film is fed between the closure lid 82 and adjacent sidewall 83 of the carton.

Adjacent one end of the side wall 83 a flap 86 is provided which is foldably connected thereto by a foldline 87. An anchorage device 40 of the type illustrated in Figure 1 having a crescent shaped stop formation is inserted through an elongate slot adjacent to the fold line 87 and is arranged so that the stop formation 58 projects outwardly beyond sidewall 83. The flap 86 is preferably secured by adhesive in face to face contact with the inside of side wall 83 with the body portion 50 located therebetween.

The stop formation serves to initiate a tear in the film and once started the tear will propagate across the width of the film to enable a desired length to be separated from the roll of film contained in the carton.

Advantageously the edge of the stop formation may be provided with serrations or similar formations to facilitate initial cutting or tearing of the film.

Claims

CIzAIMS

1. A packaging container or carton including a body defining a chamber in which articles can be stored, the body having an access opening through which access can be gained to the interior of the chamber, a lid for closing the access opening and tamper-evident anchorage means for anchoring the lid to the body.

2. A packaging container or carton according to claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a pair of opposed lid flaps hingedly connected to opposed sidewalls of the carton, the opposed lid flaps extending across the access opening with one flap overlying the other, said anchorage means securing the flaps to one another.

3. A packaging container or carton according to claim 2 wherein the underlying flap extends across the access opening and has a terminal end flap which is folded to lie adjacent to the sidewall to which the overlying flap is hingedly attached.

4. A packaging container or carton according to claim 3 wherein a pair of opposed closure flaps are hingedly connected to opposed end walls of the carton, the opposed closure flaps extending across the access opening to underlie the underlying flap, the underlying flap being provided with slits into which the closure flaps engage.

5. A packaging container or carton according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the anchorage means is located to secure the overlying lid flaps to one another adjacent to the sidewall to which the overlying flap is hingedly attached.

6. A packaging container or carton according to any preceding claim wherein the anchorage means comprises at least one anchorage member which is inserted through aligned apertures in the carton.

7. A packaging container or carton according to claim 6 wherein the or each anchorage member comprises a body having a stop at one end for limiting insertion through said aligned apertures and barb means for permitting insertion but preventing withdrawal of the body from said aligned apertures.

8. A packaging container or carton according to claim 7 wherein the body is planar and the barb means comprises a pair of resiliently deflectable barbs projecting from opposite sides of the body.

9. A packaging container or carton according to claims 1 to 4 wherein the anchorage means comprises a pair of hingedly connected body portions, one of the body portions being secured to the lid with the other body portion projecting therefrom, said other body portion being adapted for one way insertion through an aperture in the carton for securing the lid in a closed position.

10. A packaging container or carton according to claim 9 wherein both body portions are planar and include a pair of resiliently deflectable barbs projecting from opposite sides of the body.

11. An anchorage member for securance to sheet material, the anchorage member including a body insertable through an aperture in said sheet material, the body including a stop at one end for limiting the extent of insertion and barb means for preventing removal of the body from the aligned apertures, the body being planar and the stop being defined by a protrusion extending from one or both planar side faces of the body.

12. An anchorage member according to claim 11 wherein the protrusion is generally cresent shaped.

13. An anchorage device connecting one member to another, the device including a pair of planar body portions which are hingedly connected to one another, each body portion including barb means to enable the body portion to be inserted through an aperture in a respective member but prevent its removal.